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HOLIDAY CONCERT, 



A COLLECTION OF 



Dialogues, Recitations, and Concert 
Exercises, 



FOR THE USE OF 



SUNDAY-SCHOOL ANNIVERSARIES AND HOLIDAY EXHIBITIONS 



MRS. M. B. C.'SLADE. 



CHICAGO : 

PUBLISHED BY 

JOHN E. MILLER & CO. 



K? 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by 

JOHN E. MILLER & CO., 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



J. J. SPALDING & CO., Printers, Chicago. 



PREFACE. 



The Sunday - School Concert, or Children's Evening, has 
become a regularly established institution in nearly all churches 
of the various denominations. 

A demand is thus created for such exercises as combine 
genial, cheerful, and healthful entertainment with useful 
instruction. 

It has been our aim, in this little book, to aid in sup- 
plying this demand. 

We have also given special attention to the approach- 
ing holidays and festivals of Christmas and New Year. 

If our work wins the welcome that it has earnestly 
sought to deserve, it may be followed by others of sim- 
ilar character. 

Mrs. M. B. C. SLADE. 
Fall River, Mass., Nov., 1ST2. 



tyht l^olidag tyvnqeyl. 



A TALK ABOUT PALESTINE. 

WITH MAP UPON THE BLACKBOARD. 
BY MINNIE B. SLADE. 

Leila. Girls, let us talk a little while about Palestine. 

May. Why about Palestine more than any other country? 

Leila. Oh, because it is the land where the chosen people of 
God dwelt, and where the Prophets lived, and where Jesus did his 
mighty works. 

Lizzie. Let us have a map of it. Dora, won't you draw one ? 

Dora. Why won't you draw it yourself ? 

Lizzie. You draw the outline and I'll put in the Sea of Galilee 
and the River Jordan. 

Leila. And I'll locate some towns. 

May. And I can draw some mountains. 

(Dora begins to draw.) 

Ella. Now, while Dora is drawing, let us tell what we know 
about it. 

Dora. Let us give its various names. 

Leila. Canaan, Land of Promise, Land of Jehovah, The Holy 
Land, Judea, Palestine. 

Mamie. These are the names of the Land which was promised 
to Abraham, and where the Children of Israel came after the forty 
years in the wilderness. 

Etta. How large is it ? 

Leila. One hundred and eighty-five miles long and sixty-live 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT 



miles wide. Will some one tell us what one of the United States 
it compares with in size ? 

[Let some gentleman in the audience who has been previously requested to 
do so, say, "It compares in size most nearly with Maryland, though you will 
see when the map is complete that it is shaped somewhat like New Hampshire.] 

Leila. Thank you, Mr. , we will remember that. 

May. Tell us about the trees of Palestine. 

Lizzie Here is the olive tree that grows upon the Mount of 
Olives, and the fig tree, with the stately palm ; and Bashan has its 
oaks, and Lebanon its cedars. 

Mamie. There the sweet white myrtle blooms, and the purple 
pomegranate, and the air is sweet with roses, and the bright flow- 
ers of which our Savior said : 

All. " Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow ; they toil 
not, neither do they spin, and yet I say unto you that even Solo- 
mon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." 

Nora. There is also the rose of Sharon; and I want to tell you 
that it is not a rose but a narcissus, exactly like the white flowers 
that we have in the spring. Remember this when you read : 

AH. " I am the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley. 1 ' 

Dora. {Turning from the board.) I have finished my work. Now 
while Lizzie draws the Sea of Galilee and the River Jordan, we 
will talk about the boundaries of Palestine. 

Nora. What are those mountains near your northern boundary? 

Dora, {Pointing.) Those are the Lebanon Mountains, where the 
great cedars of Lebanon grow. 

May. Now show us the eastern boundary. 

Dora. [Pointing to the lines.) At first, from the north, it passes 
along by the Mountains of Hermon and Mountains of Gilead ; 
lower down the River Arnon and the Dead Sea complete the line. 
Just about here is where Laban said to Jacob : 

All. " The Lord be between thee aud me, when we are absent 
one from another." 

Dora, And here, near the same place, Jephtha's daughter came 
out to meet her father with timbrels and dances. 

Ella, And what is on the south ? 

Dora. It goes from the end of the South Sea to the River of 
Egypt. And can any one of you tell me what forms the western 
line ? 

Mamie. The Mediterranean, Great, or West Sea. 



THE H.OL IDA V C O NCE R T. 



Lizzie. (Turning from the board.) While Leila adds the towns let 
us talk of the Sea and River. 

Mamie. As you have drawn them let us hear you describe them. 

Lizzie. The Jordan begins up here in the north, at the springs of 
Jordan, among the Lebanon Mountains ; it flows south through a 
lonely country, and enters the Sea of Galilee on the north and 
leaves it on the south, flowing onward to the Dead Sea. 

Ella. I have heard that the waters of the Jordan remain a clear 
stream, not mingling with the Sea in all its course. 

Nora. Can you show us where Jesus came to be baptized by 
John in Jordan ? 

Lizzie. We are not sure, but Bethabara was probabby here, a little 
to the north of Joshua's Passage. 

Nora. What was Joshua's Passage ? 

May. I will answer you in Scripture words : " Israel came over 
Jordan on dry land, for the Lord, your God, dried up the waters of 
Jordan from before you until ye were passed over." 

Lizzie, Mr. Blaisdell, may the school sing one verse of " Roll, 
Jordan Roll," on the 44th page of " Bright Jewels" ? 
(After Singing.) 

Mamie. And now let us talk about the Sea. How large is it ? 

Nora. It is ten or twelve miles long. 

Lizzie. What are some of the words of Jesus at the sea ? 

Ella. He said upon the shore : " Follow me and I will make you 
fishers of men." He said upon the sea, to the stormy waves: 
"Peace, be still." 

Leila. (Turning from the board.) Now, May, while you are plac- 
ing some mountains, I will point out my towns. Please name 
them. ( Poin ts to north-east shore. ) 

Nora. That is one of the Bethsaidas, and Chorazim was near 
here. (Paints to north-west shore.) 

Bora, That is Capernaum. 

(PoinU to south-west shore, ) 

Ella, That is the other Bethsaida. 

Leila. And what are these ? 

Lizzie. Tyre on the north, and Sidon on the south. 

Mamie. Let me recite what Jesus said of these cities : ''Thou, 
Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down 
to hell : Wo, unto thee, Chorazim, wo, unto thee, Bethsaida ; for 



THE II OLID A Y C A' CERT. 



if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which have 
been done in } r ou, thej^ had a great while ago repented." 

Leila. I point now to Jerusalem, of which Jesus said, ''Oh, 
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the Prophets, how often 
would I have gathered thy children together even as a hen gather- 
eth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not." And this ? 

Dora. Is Nazareth, where Jesus was in childhood " subject to his 
parents. " 

Leila. And this ? 

Nam. Bethlehem, where the angels sang "When Jesus was 
born in Bethleliem of Judea." 

Mamie. I wish you could point out just where Jesus said, " Suf- 
fer little children to come unto Me." 

Lizzie. It is enough for us to know that He said the dear words. 
I think I would rather feel that He is saying them everywhere. 
Mr. Blaisdell, may the school sing one verse of ' ' Come Little 
One," on the 40th page of "Bright Jewels"? 
{After Singing. ) 

May. {Turning from the board.) I am ready now to point out the 
mountains. These are ? 

Leila. The Mountains of Lebanon, where the great cedars grow. 

May. And this ? 

Lizzie. That is Carmel, the only great promontory on the western 
coast. What prophets loved to come here ? 

Mamie. It was here that Elijah prayed for rain, till his servant 
said, " There cometh a little cloud out of the sea like a man's 
hand." 

Dora. I never thought of that before as being from the Medi- 
terranean Sea. 

Nora. I suppose the more we search the Scriptures the more 
things we shall find that we " never thought of before." 

Ella. Didn 't Elisha also come often to Mt. Carmel ? 

Mamie. Yes, Elisha was here when the Shunamite woman came 
to tell him of her dead child. When he said, " Is it well with the 
child ?" and she answered, " It is well." 

May. {Pointing.) And this is ? 

Lizzie. That is Mt, Tabor, where Barak and Deborah overthrew 
the army of Sisera. 

Mamie. But we must not linger longer around the Holy Land, 
though we would gladly tell — 



THE HOLIDAY CO N CE R T. 



How Bethlehem and Nazareth, 

And sweet Siloam's Spring, 

And Kedron and Gennemreth 

Their sacred lessons bring : 

To Bethany would turn our way, 

Where Jesus Martha met ; 

Or go where oft He went to pray 

By night, on Olivet; 

But He who made it holy there, 

Doth to our spirits tell, 

The Holy Land is everywhere 

Where God with man doth dwell : 

And this shall be our willing choice, 

Whatever land we see, 

His path to tread whose loving voice, 

Calls, come and follow Me. 

[After this let the school sing " Following Jesus. " (pages 10 and 11) from 
" Starry Crown," by W. O. Perkins. Published by G. O. Russell & Co., Boston, 

Mass.] 



OUR TEACHER, GONE HOME. 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

She dwelt so near her heavenly home, 
No clarion call she needed ; 

Death's angel only whispered, " Come ! " 
And glad her spirit heeded. 

So like an angel was she here. 
This side the pearly portals, 

That we shall surely know her there, 
Among the bright immortals. 

Oh, Father, help us loose our hold, 
Our yearning hearts' affection ; 

And trust her, in Thine upper fold, 
To Thy dear love's protection ! 



10 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT 



foLLOwiNq jisiis. 



Words by M. B. C. Slade. 



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i. Come hith - er, lit - tie child - ren, Oh, will 
2. His foot-prints bright and shin - ing, the way 
3- 

4- 
5- 



The sick and weak, and fee - ble, the lame, 
The way is ver - y nar - row, the path 
So through all paths of du - ty, and do 



you 
will 
and 

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fee 



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will you go, 
sure - ly show, 
deaf and blind, 
ver - y straight, 
good be - low, 

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Where Je - sus went be-fore you, The 

A - mong the poor and need - y, where 

The lov - ing heart of Je - sus was 

But Je - sus went up thro' it to 

If vou will fol - low Je - sus, vou 

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heavenly way to show? 

Je - sus used to go. 

al - ways sure to find, 

find the pearl - y gate, 

by and by, shall go, 

4 > j 



9 r 9 

Un - til life's jour - ney's 
The poor are al - ways 
Oh ! swift to help the 
The gold - en street it 
To dwell with him for - 






THE HO LI DA Y C ONCER T. 



11 



p@LL©wt fiq jisils* — concluded. 



K 



end - ed, and 



— r^ t 



1^1- 

all its work is done. Oh ! will you fol - low 
with us, Their doors we can-not shun, If we would fol - low 
suff 'ring, your lit - tie feet must run. If you w T ould fol - low 
en-ters when here our journey's done, Where we shall walk with 
ev - er, the best be - lov - ed Son ; If you will fol - low 





Je - 
Je- 
Je - 
Je - 
Je - 



sus 
sus 
sus 
sus 
sus 



the meek and 
the meek and 
the meek and 
the meek and 
the meek and 






low - ly 
low - ly 
low - ly 
low - ly 
low - ly 



one t 
one ? 
one ? 
one ? 



Oh ! will you 
If we would 
If you would 

Where we shall 
If you will 



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fol - low Je - sus, the meek and low 
fol - low, &c. 
fol - low, &c. 
walk with, &c. 
fol - low, &c. 



12 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 

FORBID THEM NOT. 

RECITATION FOR A LITTLE BOY. 
BY MARY B. C. SL.ADE. 

Sometimes when father comes. 
My mother sa} r s to me, 
v ' Father is very tired to-night, 
Do n't climb upon his knee." 

Then father spreads his arms 
As wide as thej r can go, 
And takes me up and blesses me. 
Because he loves me so. 

I think that 's just the way, 
And just the reason why 
That Jesus used these words to say. 
Of children such as I : 

" Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not." 
41 And He took them up in His arms, put His hand upon them, 
and blessed them." — Mark, ix: 14, 16. 



AVE WOULD SEE JESUS. 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

First Sch. We would see Jesus, the wonderful child ; 
Second Sch. Go find Him with Mary, His mother so mild. 

In the manger of Bethlehem. 
jn Concert. Luke, ii: 16. 

Third Sch. And we would see Jesus, the beautiful son ; 
Fourth Sch. To Nazareth hills with His parents He's gone 

To be subject there unto them. 
In Concert. Luke, Hi: 51. 

Fifth Sch. Oh, we we would see Jesus, to manhood now grown 
Sixth Sch. Then come to the desert, where fasting and lone. 

From temptation He turns away. 
In Concert. Luke, iv: 12. 
Seventh Sch. And we would see Jesus, physician so kind ; 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



Eighth Sclt. Then go where the lame, and the halt, and the blind, 

Down before Him the people lay. 
In Concert. Matt, ix: 85. 

Ninth Sch. Oh, we would see Jesus, where us He may teach ; 
Tenth Sell. Then enter the synagogue, there will He preach, 

Of the Gospel of Love will tell. 
In Concert. Luke, iv: 16. 

First Sch. And we would see Jesus in some loving home ; 
Second Sch. To Bethany, then, at the eventide come, 

Where Martha and Mary dwell. 
In Concert. Luke, x: 38, 89. 

Third Sch. Oh, we would see Jesus, again and once more ; 
Fourth Sch. To Olivet come, when the supper is o'er, 

Where He often to pray would go. 
In Concert. Matt, xxvi: 30. 

Fifth Sch. And we would see Jesus when all these are past ; 
Sixth Sch. Then come unto Calvary, with Him at last, 

Where he dies on the Cross of wo ! 
In Concert. Luke, xxiii: 33. 

Seventh Sch. And shall we see Jesus again, by and by ? 
Eighth Sch. Oh, yes, if to walk in His footsteps we try, 

We shall go to the Lord we love. 
In Concert. Luke, xiv: 3. 

Ninth Sch. And say, will He see us and show us His face ? 
Tenth Sch. Oh, yes ! He has gone to prepare us a place 
In the house of our Father above. 
In Concert. Luke, xiv: 2. 



A CHAIN OF CHARACTERS, 

BY MINNIE B. SLADE. 

May. Girls, do you remember a play we once had ? We gave a 
name of a place, as Boston ; and then some one else gave the name 
of another, beginning with the last letter, N, as Aewport. Let us 
try it with Scripture characters. 

Ltt<L Yes; but let us describe our character first, and another 



U THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



may guess whom we mean, and then describe her hero or heroine. 

Ella. I'll begin: He is walking all alone, and looks with much 
interest on all around him. He sees strange trees and beautiful 
flowers, and queer animals, but he meets no one in all his walk. I 
see him a few days later, but not now alone; a beautiful woman is 
with him, and — 

Nora. 1 see ! She is Eve, and is in the Garden of Eden with 
Adam, whom you have described. I think of a very busy woman. 
She is preparing to receive a dear friend. By and by He comes, 
and she, though very glad to see Him, goes on with her work, and 
even tries to get her sister, who is listening to the words of the 
guest, to help her. But, He says, "Mary hath chosen that good 
part, which shall not be taken away from her." 

Lizzie. Ah, you have told us. It is Martha and Mary; and the 
guest was Jesus. A — A — Let me think. Oh, I know. The tirst 
I know of my hero is, that he went away with his father into a 
new land, and then, after he was married, he went to Egypt. Af- 
ter some time, he is in another country, pleading with God for the 
salvation of some cities; but they are so wicked that his pleadings 
are in vain; and now the Dead Sea covers the site of those cities. 
Then, afterwards, he goes on such a sad journey. He does n't 
want to go, but the Lord has told him to take his son, and go up 
into the mountain. When he gets there, he builds an altar, and 
his little son asks him: " Behold the fire and the wood, but where 
is the lamb for the burnt offering ? " not knowing that he himself 
is to be the lamb. For God told his father to sacrifice his son; but 
just as he is about to kill the boy, he hears God's voice, saying: 
" Lay not thine hand upon the lad, for now I know that thou fear- 
est God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son 
from me." 

Dora. How glad Abraham must have been that God let his 01 lv 
son Isaac still live ! For a word to begin with M, may n't I give 
the mountain where Isaac was led ? Do you know it ? 

Nora. Mount Moriah, I think. And the only name whose in- 
itial is H, that 1 think of, is a poor slave-woman, who was sent 
with her son into a desert wilderness, and to whom God said, when 
she was sad and weeping, "Fear not, for God hath heard." 

Dora. The poor woman was Hagar — and I am reminded of the 
weeping mothers. It is a great many years later, "when Jesus 
was born in Bethlehem of Judea;" and in the streets of the city 



THE HOLIDAY CO N C E R T. 1 5 



are seen cruel soldiers, catching up little children, and killing 
them, according to the orders of a wicked king; and cries are 
heard, as of — whom ? 

Mamie. " Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be 
comforted, because the} 7 are not." And now listen to my history : 
A man whom Jesus loved, and who lived not far from Jerusalem, 
in a home with his sisters. We do not hear much of him till we 
hear Jesus saying of him, " Our friend sleepeth, but I go that I 
may awake him out of sleep." When Jesus wakes him, he is all 
wrapped in w T hite, and comes from a strange sort of a chamber 
for a man who has been only sleeping. 

Lila. Ah ! but that was n't what Jesus meant when he went to 
call Lazarus from the tomb. He knew that he was dead, but he 
gave him back his life as easily as he would have waked him if he 
had just been asleep; just as he raised the little daughter of James, 
when she slept the sleep of death. And I have to tell of a man 
whose fame went through all the world. His father said to him 
as he died: " Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him 
with a perfect heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searcheth all 
hearts; " and then he told him of a beautiful work he is to accom- 
plish, when he shall become king. There is so very much to tell 
of him, that I hardly know what to tell first. He was called upon 
to judge, and his wisdom was tested in some strange ways. He 
wrote a beautiful song, or poem, and another book called — 

Emma. The Proverbs of Solomon; and I want to tell you one of 
the stories told of him; not in the Bible, but in the Jewish Talmud. 
The Queen of Sheba came to him with two wreaths of flowers, 
and asked him wdiich were natural, and which artificial. The king 
was in doubt, but saw some bees just outside the window, and had 
them let in, when, of course, they flew at once to the natural 
flowers. Then the queen was much surprised that he should think 
of that way, and as she was going away from him, said: " The 
one-half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me. Blessed 
be the Lord thy God, wdiich delighted in thee, to set thee upon his 
throne — " 

May. And the beautiful work was the Temple of God, built by 
Solomon. And I speak of a man who was a ruler among the 
Jews, whose initial letter is N. He wanted to ask questions once, 
of one wiser even than Solomon, but did n't dare to be seen doing 
so, so he came at night. The answers are hard to understand; but 



1(1 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



he who replies, says: " If I have told you earthly things, and ye 
believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things'?" 
And then he said to him these beautiful words: "For God so 
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever 
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Can 
you not tell ? 

Ella. I think I know. It was Nicodemus who came and said to 
Jesus : ' ' We know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no 
man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with 
him." And now, I give one which is hardly fair, for it is the 
man's first name that begins with S, and he is most frequently 
called by his last name. He is walking with his brother, by the 
Sea of Galilee, and is called, with him, from his occupation; and 
hi his usual impetuous way, he hastens to obey. I find him con- 
stantly at the head of his companions, speaking for them, active 
for them. Twice he throws himself into the water, from the ship 
he is in, eager to meet his master; and I find him, as his master is 
about to leave him, earnestly promising always to love and ac- 
knowledge him; and then, I see him denying all love for him. 

Lizzie. I see ! It is Simon Peter. I have thought that he was 
just the one to write this that is in his epistle: " The Lord is long- 
suffering to us- ward, not willing that any should perish, but that 
all should come to repentance." Because he must have been so 
glad that the Lord came back, after the resurrection, and forgave 
him, and showed that he was long-suffering to Jtim-ward, when he 
repented so deeply and sorrowfully. 

Map. If we had time, we would like to tell of the one suggested 
by Peter's last letter — the beautiful Ruth, gleaning in the field, and 
caring so tenderly for her mother; then of Haggari, to whom the 
Lord said: " My spirit remaineth with you; fear not." And then 
of the grand old prophet, Isaiah, who foretold of our Saviour: 
" He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our 
iniquities." But one name so constantly suggests another, that we 
can only close by saying we will remember this last letter with 
which to begin again some other trial. 



THE HO LI DA Y C NCR R T. 



SIX SCENES IN A NOBLE LIFE. 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

First Scholar. We show you to-night six scenes — six varied pic- 
tures. As we show them, if you recognize the characters and the 
places, will you raise your hands ? — but do not tell us what you 
think they are, until all the scenes are shown. Our first picture 
is, The Scholar. 

Second Scholar. In a distant city I see a venerable and learned 
old man ; near him sits a young man studying from a roll that he 
holds in his hand, and unrolls as he reads. He is being taught 
" according to the perfect manner" of his time. 

Who is the old man ? Raise your hands, but not your voice. 
How man} T know who the young man is ? Let us see more hands. 
How many know what he is studying ? 

First Scholar. Our second picture is, The Consenting Witness. 

Third Scholar, i must show him to you in a less attractive atti- 
tude — I see him standing a willing witness to the death of a good 
man. He does not soil his ovm scholarly hands by throwing 
stones ; but he takes care of the garments of those who are cruelly 
doing so. 

Will all who recognize this scene raise their hands ? 

Who is the good man ? What is he called ? 

Let every one who knows raise his hand. 

First Scholar. Our third picture is The Interrupted Journey. 

Fourth Scholar. I show you a startling picture ; things are getting 
worse and worse with our young man. I see him dashing along 
the highway leading to an ancient city. His heart is full of hate 
and his voice full of threatenings. Suddenly, at noon, in the light 
of mid-day, a bright light shines over him, and a voice says — 
What ? How many know ? Now, he falls to the ground and 
gropes as though in blindness. Who is he ? Raise only your hands. 
Let us see more hands. 

First Scholar. Our fourth picture is A Man in a Basket. 

Fifth Scholar. I show you a somewhat comical situation, but 
one that will rouse your sympathies. It is now more than three 
years later. At last the young man has come to the same city ; 
but he is oh, so changed ! What he once hated now he loves. 
Him whom he once scorned, now he delights to serve. I see the 



1 8 T HE H L ID A V C X CERT. 



scholarly young man, the enraged persecutor, the stricken traveler, 
the changed man, in the darkness of night, being let down from 
an upper window in a basket ! Raise your hands if you know, 
now, who he is ? Where he is ? Whj r he is in this situation ? 

First Scholar. Our fifth picture is, The Beautiful Hill. 

Sixth Scholar. And now, I show a grand picture : He is in a rich 
and magnificent city. He stands upon a hill, from which he can 
see lovely islands, in a placid sea, All around are temples, and 
palaces, heathen statues and idols and altars. He points to one 
altar with a strange inscription. What is it ? Remember, do not 
speak ; only raise hands ! What is the hill? What is the city ? 
How many now know ? We want to see more hands. If our 
pictures are good, you must recognize them. 

First Scholar. Our seventh and last is, An Old Soldier. 

Seventh Scholar. Look reverently upon my closing scene. I show 
you a worn, old soldier ; worn in the service of this Master whom 
once he hated, but whom he has long loved and served. He is 
writing a letter to his "beloved son in the faith." This letter was 
written centuries ago, but I have seen it. Have you ? 

Thinking of his past life, and of the end that draws nigh, and 
of his long warfare, what does he say ? How many know ? 

(The scenes nmc being all shown, the following questions are asked, 
and ansirers drawn from the audience :) 

Second Scholar. Who was the old man in the picture ? 

Answer. Gamaliel. 

Who was " The Scholar ? " 

Answer. Saul of Tarsus. 

What was he studying ? 

Answer. The Jewish law. 

Third Scholar. What is the scene of my cruel picture of "The 
Consenting Witness ? " 

Answer. The death of Stephen. 

At whose feet did the wicked men leave their clothing ? 

Answer. At Saul's feet. 

Fourth Scholar. In " The Interrupted Journey," where was Saul 
going ? 

Answer. To Damascus. 

For what was he going ? 

Answer. To persecute the Christians. 

What were the words he heard ? 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 19 



Answer. Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou rue ? 

Fifth Scholar. In my picture of " The Man in the Basket," where 
is he ? 

Answer. In Damascus. 

What had he been doing ? 

Answer. Preaching the gospel. 

Why let down in a basket ? 

Answer. To escape from his enemies. 

Sixth Scholar. Where was " The Beautiful Hill ? " 

Answer. In Athens. 

What was it ? 

Answer. Mars Hill. 

Who is preaching there ? 

Answer. St. Paul. 

What is the inscription upon the altar V 

Answer. To the Unknown God. 

Seventh Scholar. Who is my "Old Soldier ? " 

Answer. The Apostle Paul. 

To whom is he writing his letter ? 

Answer. To Timothy. 

What does he say ? 

All of the class in concert. I have fought the good fight ; I have 
kept the faith ; henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of 
Righteousness. 

First Scholar Becites. 

At the feet of wise Gamaliel he learns the Jewish law ; 

At Stephen's death consenting to the cruel deed he saw ; 

On the way to far Damascus, struck blind in noon day light ; 

In Damascus, from his enemies, escaping, in the night ; 

On Mars Hill the heathen telling of the wonderful Unknown . 

With his warfare well-nigh ended, calmly waiting for his crown ; 

These are our varied pictures, and the central form in all, 

The Apostle to the Gentiles, God's faithful servant, Paul. 



20 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



WHERE ARE THE NINE V 

A RECITATION FOR FIVE CHILDREN. 
BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

Not, as of old, the Blessed One we find. 
Healing the lepers, and the lame, and blind, 
But His dear Spirit in our hearts is nigh ; 
And thus I hear His tender accents cry — 
' If ten I call and only one is mine. 
Where are the nine ? " 

There were some weary, heavy-laden men, 
I counted them and" saw that there were ten : 
One turned aside to hear that voice, so blest, 
That says, " Come unto Me, I give you rest ; 
Welcome, " says Jesus, "but, oh, son of mine. 
Where are the nine ?" 

A band of women saw I, mild and fair, 
I counted them and found that ten were there ; 
One turned aside, and said in accents sweet, 
" I chose the better part, at Thy dear feet.'' 
" Welcome," said Jesus, "but, oh, daughter mine, 
Where are the nine ? " 

A group of little children gathered round, 
I counted them and ten dear lambs I found ; 
One turned aside, for, glad and happy, she 
Heard, "Let the little children come to me ; 
Welcome," said Jesus, "but dear lamb of mine, 
Where are the nine ? " 

The one that conies, His arms enfold with love ; 
I hear Him calling for the nine that rove 
O 'er the dark mountains, through the dreary ways 
His voice is sounding, and it sweetly says, 
" I go to seek and save all these of mine ; 
Where are the nine ? " 



THE HOT ID A Y C N C E R T 21 



SACRED WORDS. 

FOR TWELVE BOYS. 

BY MINNIE B. SLADE. 

I. 

How we wish, when we read of the old Scripture time, 
We might hear now, the sentences sweet and sublime, 
Such as given by Peter to men from afar, 
At Pentecost, Tell us, please, what his words are. 

II. 
But Peter, standing up, with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and 
said unto them : Ye men of Israel, hear these words. Ye have 
taken, and Avith wicked hands have crucified and slain. This Jesus 
hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore, let 
all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that 
same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. — Acts 
ii : 14, 22, 32, 36. 

III. 

What was said by the Prophet Isaiah, in his word, 
Of the Christ, of whose coming the Jews had oft heard, 
Where he tells of His bearing the cross for our sake ; 
Of His patient submission ; oh, how does he speak ? 

IY. 

He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows ; He was 
wounded for our transgressions ; He was oppressed and He was 
afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth ; He is brought as a lamb 
to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so 
He openeth not His mouth ; He hath poured out His soul unto 
death, and He was numbered with the transgressors ; and He bare 
the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. — 
Isaiah, liii : 4, 5, 7, 12, 

Y. 

We would hear our Lord's sermons and listen, as He 
Showed His teachings to all, on the Mount by the sea. 
Tho 1 we hear not His voice, we may know how He taught. 
And then healed the sick, when so many were brought. 



22 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



VI. 

And seeing the multitude, He taught them, saying : 
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neigh- 
bor and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, 
bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray 
for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. 

Ask and it shall be given you ; seek and ye shall rind ; knock 
and it shall be opened unto you. Enter ye in at the strait gate, 
because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto 
life.— Matt, v : 1, 43^ 44 ; vii : 7, 13. 

VII. 
To Paul at Mars Hill, we so gladly would go, 
Where he taught that the Unknown God all men may know, 
Let us listen and hear what he said, as he talked, 
While some him believed, but far more only mocked. 

VIII. 
Then certain philosophers took him and brought him unto 
Areopagus, saying, " May we know what this new doctrine whereof 
thou speakest is ?" Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars Hill 
and said, "Ye men of Athens, as I passed by I found an altar 
with this inscription : To the Unknown God. Whom, therefore, 
ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you. God that made 
the world, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth 
not in temples made with hands. But now commandeth all men 
everywhere to repent, because He hath appointed a day in the 
which He will judge the world in righteousness, by that Man whom 
He hath ordained ; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, 
in that He hath raised Him from the dead. — x\cts, xvii : 16, 19, 22, 
23, 24, 30, 31. 

IX. 

We would, too, have heard David, who sang God's care 

Over all who approach Him in love and in prayer. 

Will you tell what he said, in the long, long ago ? 

Though his voice long is hushed, yet his words we may know. 

X. 

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my 
help. My help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and 
earth. Behold He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor 



THE HOLIDAY COXCERT. 23 



sleep. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, 
from this time forth and even forever more. — Psalm, cxxi: 1, 2, 4, 8. 

XI. 
After John saw the visions, he surely would tell 
Of the beauty of Heaven, which he knew so well. 
But he left us his record. We tell you the sight 
So wondrous with beauty, with God's glory bright. 

XII. 
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven 
and the first earth were passed away ; and there was no more sea. 
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall 
be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying ; neither shall there 
be any more pain. And there shall be no night there ; and they 
need no candle, neither light of the sun ; for the Lord God giveth 
them light. — Rev. xxi : 1, 4 ; xxii : 5. 



I'LL NOT TELL. 

A CHRISTMAS COLLOQUY FOR TWO, WITH CHORUS. 
BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

First. Oh, what shall you give your father and mother, 

This beautful Christmas day ? 
What gifts shall be for your sister and brother, 
And all of your dear ones, say ? 

Second. I'll not tell, and you will not know, 

Till Christmas trees with their blooms shall glow. 

I'll not tell, I'll not tell ! 
But, by and by, when the gifts you see, 
Will you sing the Christmas song with me. 
While the angels sing with us again ? 
Angel Gho. Peace, peace on earth, good will to men! 
{To be mug a little way off.) 

First. Say, what shall you give the poor little people 

That shivering speed awav. 
Through frosty streets, while the chimes in thesleeph 
Ring merry for Christmas Day ? 



24 



THE HOLIDAY CO N CE R T. 



Second. 



Angel f Jho. 
First. 



Second. 



Angel GJw. 
First. 



Second. 



I'll not tell, and yon will not know, 
Till Christmas baskets to find them go ! 

I'll not tell, I'll not tell ! 
But by and by, when the gifts you see, 
Will you sing the Christmas song with me. 
While the angels sing with us again ? 

Peace, peace on earth, good will to men! 
And what shall you give the angel throng, 

Oh, what can you give to them ; 
The shining host that were singing the- song 

To the shepherds of Bethlehem ? 
I'll not tell, and you will not know 
Till we give them the song we sing below, 

I'll not tell, I'll not tell ! 
But by and by, when the gifts you see, 
Will 3^ou sing the Christmas song with me, 
While the angels sing with us again ? 

Peace, peace on earth, good will to men ! 
And what shall you give the Father in heaven. 

Your kind and your loving Friend V 
All things you have unto you He hath given ; 

What gift unto Him can you send ? 
I will tell, and His eye can see 
That our loving hearts shall His offering be! 

I will tell, I will tell ! 
And by and by, when the gifts you see, 
Will you sing the Christmas song with me, 
While the angels sing with us again ? 

Peace, peace on earth, good will to men .' 



PASSING AWAY — LET Til EM PASS 

FOR NEW YEAR'S, OR ANNIVERSARY. 
BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 



This should be given by eleven girls, each holding in her right 
hand the letters of passing away, and in her left those of let 
them pass. The letters of each motto should be lifted and held 
in line, during the recital of the chorus containing it. 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



2o 



First Scholar. Swift, flew the seasons, and the year ; 

Again we haste to gather here '; 

Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn bright 

Have onward sped, with rapid flight, 
All in Concert. And as they pass, w T e sadly say — 

Passing away ! Passing away ! 

Eleventh Scholar. Not sadly — work that Spring begun, 

Summer and Autumn well have done ; 

They gave us gladness, joy, and mirth; 

They crowned with loveliness the earth. 
All in Concert. So say good-by, and not, alas ! 

Say, let them pass ! Yes, let them pass ! 

Second Scholar. How bright the flowers o'er hill and field ! 

How sweet the perfume that they yield ! 

How sad it seems, the time has come 

When we must miss their joyous bloom ! 
AU in Concert. And as X\\ey pass, w T e sadly say, 

Passing away! Passing away! 

Tenth Scholar. Not sadly — there was surely need 

The flowers should fade, or tiny seed. 
And ripened fruit, and golden grain 
Would never bless the earth again, 

All in Concert. So sa}' good-by, and not, alas! 

Say, let them pass! Yes, let them pass! 

Third Scholar. All through the Summer-time, we heard 
The hum of bee, the song of bird ; 
Now gone is every tuneful sound. 
From all the silent world around. 

All in Concert. And as they pass, we sadly say, 
Passing away! Passing away! 

Ninth Scholar. Not sadly — they have only flown, 

To seek some warm and flowery zone ; 

They '11 come when Spring flies home, and then 

Sing just such merry songs again. 

All in Concert. So say good-by, and not, alas! 

Say, let them pass ! Yes, let them pass ! 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



Fourth- Scholar. Here, week by week, the seasons through, 

We come, our happy work to do. 

And now, we see how quickly flies, 

A year of opportunities. 
All in Concert. And as they pass, we sadly say, 

Passing away ! Passing away ! 

Eighth Scholar. Not sadly — though we have not done 

All that we might, some sheaves we've won; 
And other days are yet in store, 
For sowing, reaping, gleaning more. 

All in Concert. So say good-by, and not, alas! 

Say, let them pass! Yes, let them pass! 

Fifth Scholar. We wish that we might ever stay 

In youth's bright spring-time, glad and gay ; 

But swiftly fade life's sunrise hours; 

Its morning sunshine, dewy flowers; 
All in Concert. And as they pass, we sadly say, 

Passing away ! Passing away ! 

Seventh Scholar. Not sadly — there is work to do — 
As life goes on, for me and you. 
These morning hours, our strength complete, 
To bear the burden and the heat. 

All in Concert. So say good-by, and not, alas! 

Say, let them pass! Yes, let them pass! 

S xth Scholar. One year ago ! since then have flown, 
To far-off mansions, many a one, 
So beautiful, so loved, so dear, 
Whose happy tones we used to hear. 

All in Concert. And as they pass, we sadly say, 
Passing away ! Passing away ! 



Eleventh Scholar. Not sadly — loving kindness flows 

Through all that comes, and all that goes- 
And, Bless the Lord, we '11 try to say, 
For He gives, or takes away ! 

All in Concert. So say good-by, and not, alas! 

Say, let them pass! Yes, let them pass! 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



TERMINAL L E TT ER S — NAMES OF PLACES. 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

First Scholar. Bethlehem. ' ' Jesus was born in Bethlehem of 
Judea. " M. 

Second Scholar. Mars Hill. "Paul stood in the midst of Mars 
Hill." L. 

Third Scholar. Lebanon. "The cedars of Lebanon which God 
hath planted." N. 

Fourth Scholar. Nazareth. Jesus, with his parents, "came to 
Nazareth, and was subject unto them." H. 

Fifth Scholar. Horeb. "Elijah went, forty clays and forty 
nights, unto Horeb, the Mount of God. " B. 

Sixth Scholar. Bethesda. " There is, at Jerusalem, a pool called 
Bethesda." A. 

Seventh Scholar. Ararat. " And the ark rested upon the mount- 
ains of Ararat." T. 

Eighth Scholar. Tyre. ' ' Hiram came out from Tyre, to see the 
cities which Solomon had given him." E. 

Ninth Scholar. Elim. ' ' And they came to Elim, where there 
were twelve wells of water." M. 

Tenth Scholar. Moab. "Moses, the servant of the Lord, died 
then in the land of Moab." 



TERMINAL LETTERS— NAMES OF PERSONS. 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

The use of Terminals, as in "A Chain of Characters," on page 
13, may be given in a simple form, as a Class, or Concert Exer- 
cise, as follows: 

First Scholar. Adam. Father of Cain and Abel. M. 

Second Scholar. Miriam. Sister of Moses. M. 

Third Scholar. Marcus. Nephew of Barnabas. S. 

Fourth Scholar. Sarah. Wife of Abraham. H. 

Fifth Scholar. Hannah. Mother of Samuel. H. 

Sixth Scholar. Hagar. Mother of Ishmael. B. 



28 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



Seventh Scholar. Rachel. The wife of Jacob. L. 
Eighth Scholar. Lot. The nephew of Abraham. T. 
Ninth Scholar. Taniar. Daughter of David. B. 
Tenth Scholar. Rebecca. The wife of Isaac. A 
This exercise may be continued as long as the limits of the time 
permit. The interest will constantly increase. 



AWAY, BRIGHT BIRD! 

A WINTER RECITATION FOR A LITTLE BOY. 
BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

Away, bright bird of the joyous song ! 
Why linger here in the cold so long ? 
There 's a bright, fair land in the southern clime, 
Where the warm sun shineth all the time. 
Then haste away, ere the cold frosts chill thee, 
Or the blasts of the north wind kill thee ! 

Fear not to cross the raging sea, 

But fly along; on thy wings so free ; 

For He who keepeth thee, on the land, 

Holdeth the wave at His command. 

Then haste away, ere the cold frosts chill thee, 

Or the blasts of the north wind kill thee ! 

But when the warm spring months again 
Bring the sweet south wind and the gentle rain, 
And the flowers are blooming wild and wide, 
And grass springing up on the green hill-side, 
Come again ! we '11 gladly meet thee; 
Come again ! with joy we '11 greet thee ! 



BLACKBOARD EXERCISE IN SCRIPTURE NAMES. 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

One scholar stands at the blackboard and asks the questions. 
As six others, in turn, give the answers, she writes the names, with 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 20 



capitals for both initials and finals, arranging both these in per- 
pendicular lines. 

First Scholar. Tell me the waters where the kings from Joshua 
met their fate. 

Second Scholar. Joshua came against them by the waters of 
Merom- — Joshua, xi : 7. 

First Scholar. Tell me the land Ezekiel said should all be deso- 
late. 

Third Scholar. All Idumea, even all of it, shall lie desolate. 
— Ezekiel, xxxv:15. 

First Scholar. Tell me the rock in the wilderness where Ben- 
jamin refuge found. 

Fourth Scholar. The men of Benjamin turned and fled to the 
wilderness, unto the rock Rimmon. — Judges, xx:47. 

First Scholar. What is the prophet's name who told Abijah's 
sayings and ways ? 

Fifth Scholar. The acts of Abijah, and his sayings and his 
ways, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo.— Second Chron- 
icles, xiii:22. 

First Scholar. What was the name of the prophetess old, in the 
temple who spent her days ? 

Sixth Scholar. There was one Anna, a prophetess, who departed 
not from the temple. — Luke, ii: 36. 

First Scholar. What is the place where Laban said the beautiful 
words, ' ' so sweet, that we love to recall when we part from 
friends, and say till again we meet " ? 

Seventh Scholar. Mizpah. For Laban said, The Lord watch be- 
tween me and thee, when we are absent one from another. — Gen- 
esis, xxxi:49. 

First Scholar. Now read the initials of all our words, and see if 
you know the name. 

All in Concert. Miriam, sister of Moses, who with him from 
Egypt came. 

First Scholar. Now read the terminals of the word, and tell me 
the name, if you can. 

All in Concert. Manoah, the father of Samson, the strong and 
the might v man. 



30 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN. 

FOR MISSIONARY CONCERT. 
BY MINNIE B. SLADE. 

I. 

Jesus loves the little children, 
For He said, one clay, 
' ' Let the children come to me — 
Keep them not away." 

II. 
There are many little children 

Who have never heard 
Of His love and tenderness — 

Of His Holy Word. 

III. 

I would tell those little children, 

If they all could hear, 
How He spoke to His disciples, 

With the children near. 

IV. 

Listen, now, while w r e repeat it : 

Hark ! 't is very sweet ! 
I should think 't would make the children 

Hasten Him to meet, 

ALL. 

" Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, 
for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven." 



JAIRUS' DAUGHTER. 

BY MABY B. C. SLADE. 

She slept the sleep of death; 
And the free limbs, that late so buoyant sprang, 
And the red lips, whence joyous accents rang, 

Were stilled. The morning's breath 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 31 



Played o'er the sleeper's brow, 
Smooth as the polished marble; and as white 
As on the lily's cheek the morning's light ; 

And pure as clustered snow. 

But, from the eyes' closed lid 
Flashes no ray to tell the soul is there; 
The casket still is precious, and so fair — 

Where is the bright gem hid ? 

Then, to that home of death, 
Came Jesus, with His faithful witness-band, 
And to the weeping ones that round her .stand, 
"She is not dead ! " he saith. 

He called her by her name; 
She heard the voice that said, "Damsel, arise ! " 
Strength thrilled her feet, and light illumed her eyes- 

Again her spirit came. 

Whence came the maiden, then ? 
We only know that when she heard his voice, 
And felt his touch, with glad and willing choice, 

Her spirit came again. 



GLAD NEW YEAR 



BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 



PERSONS: 
Old Tear; New Year; Seasons; Months; Fairies. 
COSTUMES: 
These may be copied from pictures familiar to every one, 
making a special effort to use every means to render them 
symbolical. The Fairies' wings may be made of gauze, drawn over 
a wire frame. The throne should be in front of a screen of 
evergreen, from behind which the various characters enter. 
{The two Fairies come in, and .find the Old Year dozing upon his 
throne. They clap their hands and laugh, very gently.) 

First Fairy. Ha! ha! ha! what a funny sight, I hardly can believe, 
The Old Year is fast asleep, upon glad New Year's 
Eve. 



32 THE HO LI DA V CONCERT. 



Second Fairy (climbing up behind the throne, and tickling his ear with 
a straw). 

I'll rouse the sleepy fellow, if I can reach his ear. 
Wake up! wake up! 'tis New Year's Eve, and she 

will soon be here. 
Old Year (rising, and slowly descending the throne). 

Ah, yes, I must be going; my last swift moments % ; 
The old pass out, the new come in, the changes 

hurry by. 
My work is done; with willing steps, I peaceful pass 

away, 
In hope that I have blessed and served earth's 

children in my stay. 
In hope that I have nearer brought the time when 

sin shall cease. 
And angels in the air again shall sing the songs of 

peace. 
I wish that I could hear the song before I pass away — 
The angel song of promise I heard on happy 

Christmas Day. 

(Voices behind the screen sing the first stanza of " Praises" from Mrs. 

Miller's " Christmas Carols") 
Old Year. And now, I go ; as on the ear those last sweet echoes 
swell, 
1 hear the New Year's coming chimes, the Old 
Year's passing bell. 

Old Year (to First Fairy). 

Give fair New Year my golden crown (to second Fairy) 

my royal scepter bright, 
And lead her to the throne I leave — good-by, good- 
will, good-night. 
(Old Year goes out eery slowly. As the bell stops ringing, let the voices 
sing first stanza of "-Ring Oat Merry Bells" from Mrs. Millers 
" Christmas Carols.'") 

(New Year enters eery gaily. The Fairies go to meet her, with crown 

and scepter). 
New Year. What bright, new scene is this, and what is here? 
First Fairy. This is thine earthly throne, O, glad New Year. 

(Leads her to it.) 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



New Year. And who is he who has so sadly gone? 

Second Fairy. The gray Old Year; he left for thee his crown. 

(Crowns Jier.) 
New Year. What hast thou in thy hand, sweet fairy, tell. 
Second Fairy. This is thy scepter; wisely rule, and well. 
New Year. A throne, a crown, a scepter — and are ye - ■ 

All of the subjects that belong to me? 
Fairies. .' Ah, no; here hastes a gay and merry throng; 

Four happy Seasons come, with laugh and song. 
(The Seasons enter.) 
First Fairy (presenting Spring). 

This, royal lady, is the merry Spring. 
Second Fairy (presenting Summer). 

And this, the Summer-time, so fair, so bright. 
First Fairy (presenting Autumn). 

This is the brown-cheeked Autumn that I bring. .. 
Second Fairy (presenting Winter). 

And this, brave Winter, in her garments white. 
Seasons (in Concert). 

O, beautiful New Year, 
Thy loyal servants we ; 
Each in her own bright sphere 
Will minister to thee. 
As we our gifts bestow, 
Our varied treasures, rare, 
Thy stores shall overflow, 
On New Year, bright and fair; 
And each of us has daughters three, 
Who joyfully will wait on thee. 

The Fairies (leading in March, April, and May). 

Make way ! Make way ! 

Here come March, April, May. 
Spring. These are the children of the Spring, 

Glad service now to you they bring. 

March (bowing before the New Year). 

L'm a wild young maiden; 
And winter's ways I follow ; 
With chill, rough winds, snow-laden, 
I sweep o'er hill and hollow. 



34 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



April {bowing before the New Year). 

And when, with-her rousing rally, 
Her voice has wakened the flowers, 
I, over the hill and valley, 
Will woo them with gentle showers. 

May (bowing). And I, O, then, I will bring thern 
The buds and the blossoms dear, 
And over the wild woods fling them, 
To gladden the bright New Year. 

The Fairies (leading in June, July, and August). 

Make room ! make room ! in glorious prime, 
Come the daughters fair of Summer-time. 

Summer. My daughters three at thy feet shall bow, 

And offer their loyal service, now. 

June (to the Neic Year). 

Roses red and hawthorn white, 
Blue of heaven, and gold of sea, 
Songs of birds, green fields so bright, 
Perfect gifts, June offers thee. 

July (to New Year). 

I the glorious day will bring, 
When the freedom bells shall ring; 
Brighter green shall deck the hills, 
Deeper blue the sky and rills. 

August (to Neic Year). 

I will spread, o'er field and plain, 
Billowy seas of golden grain. 
Maidens fair my songs shall sing, 
As the harvest home they bring. 

Fairies {with August, September, and October). 
Another stately three are here : 
We lead them to thee, glad New Year. 

Autumn. My noble daughters, New Year, see, 

What treasures they will offer thee ! 

September (to New Year). 

I'll bring for thee my clusters of the vine, 
And golden corn, and glowing fruits of mine. 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



85 



October (to New Year). 

I'll bring thee brown nuts, from the wind-tossed 
bough, 

And bright-hued forest leaves to deck thy brow. 
November (to New Year). 

My cheery days shall crown thy perfect prime, 

With the glad season of thanksgiving time. 

Fairies (with December, January, and February). 

Make room for these to enter in thy train : 

Three last bright links that make thy perfect chain. 

Winter. Brave, strong, and hardy are my daughters here; 

They offer faithful service, Oh, New Year! 

December. Stern, cold, and hard I seem, no flowers I bring; 
Nor birds, their soft, sweet, summer songs to sing; 
But one glad, glorious time, I bring along — 
The Christmas time, and the old Christmas song. 

( AH now on the stage sing first stanza of Mrs. Miller's ' ' Christmas 



Carols. 
January. 



And I the honor have, O lovely Queen, 

To usher in each happy New Year scene ; 

The bright young months that 'round thee gaily 

speed, 
I have the honor and the joy to lead. 

February. And I, mj* gladdest service is to say, 

With me the reign of storms shall pass away. 

The richest gift I offer, is to bring 

Close in my train, the ever-welcome Spring. 

All (joining hands, and going around the throne). 

And so around the New Year's throne, her happy 

subjects go. 
New Year. So I the loyal service take my subjects all bestow. 
All. So is our New Year's fresh young life, with song 

and dance begun. 
New Year. So will we seek to bless the earth, until our course 

is run. 
All. And as we onward, onward haste, and circle 'round 

the year, 



36 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



New Tear (rising and extending her scepter). 

May light and love and joy and peace descend and 
bless us here. 
Closing Tableaux. At this point, let the New Year stand, with 
extended scepter; the Months and Seasons in graceful attitudes, 
while the Fairies shall have led the Old Year just to the threshold, 
where he stands, with his hand extended, as in parting blessing. 
The curtain may then fall, for a change of positions, and another 
tableau be presented, with New Year seated, and the Months and 
Seasons in four groups. 



THE WALK TO EMM A US. 

SUNDAY-SCHOOL CONCERT RECITATION. 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

Let the class recite, in turn, Luke xxiv: 13, 17, 28, 32. One scholar 
recites the poem.] 



As, walking from Jerusalem, 

Two sad disciples went, 
Jesus drew nigh and talked with them, 

Till day was now far spent. 

But, while their hearts within them burned, 

Their holden eyes were dim ; 
And, though they loved Him as they learned, 

A stranger thought they Him. 

As they drew nigh to Emmaus, 
Toward eve, He made as though 

He would not end his journey thus, 
But farther onward go. 

'Abide with us," to Him they said; 

Then, at the hallowed board, 
In breaking of the evening bread, 

Knew their beloved Lord. 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 37 



With holden eyes, along thy way, 
The Lord dost thou not know ? 

Constrain Him, that He with thee stay, 
Nor farther onward go. 

And, when He tarrieth with thee, 
The evening board to grace, 

Thine opened eyes with joy shall see 
And know His blessed face. 



MR. VERY'S SERMON. 

A RECITATION FOR A BOY. 
BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

I shall speak very briefly, dear ladies, and dear sirs; 

My speech it will.be chiefly unto the ministers. 

Mr. Very preached a sermon, and I can't tell you next, 

What was Mr Very's subject, nor Mr. Very 's text. 

But a lady hastened to him, as on the steps he stood, 

With, " Oh, dear, Mr. Very, your sermon was so good ! 

I ha-ve n't heard a sermon, in how long I can't tell, 

That pleased me, Mr. Very, and suited me so well!" 

Mr. Very was delighted, for sugar plums are sweet, 

And such nice sugar plums of praise, who would n't like to eat? 

So he thanked the lad} r , kindly, and said that he was glad; 

He hoped to preach acceptably, and he rejoiced he had. 

Then asked her why his sermon so excellent she thought. 

Oh! I liked it, Mr. Very, because it was so short! " 



THE BIRTH OF JESUS. 

Recitation. The birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: Joseph 
went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, into 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with 
Mary, his espoused wife. 

Song. We welcome the beautiful Christmas time, 

Its carols of joy we sing; 
The bells in our hearts play a joyful chime, 

As jubilant church -bells ring. 
And so the clear story we tell anew. 

And sing as the angels sang, 
When down from the heights of heavenly blue 
The carols of Christmas rang. 
(Iharus. Come, seraph choir, and sing with us again 

The song of peace on earth, good will to men. 

Recitation. And she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped 
Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there 
was no room for them in the inn. 

Song. No room in the houses of Bethlehem ; 

No room in the inn, they say; 
So Mary and Joseph, shut out from them. 

The babe in the manger lay. 
Oh, city of David, no longer thou 

The least in the land shalt dwell, 
For out of thee cometh a ruler now 

To rule over Israel. 

Recitation. And there were in the same country shepherds, abid- 
\ ng in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. 

Song. While tending the fold in the field by night— 

Oh, what did the shepherds hear? 
An angel of God, with a glorious light, 

Came, bidding them not to fear. 
And, suddenly, hosts of the angels then 

Came down from the starry sky, 
On earth, singing peace and good will to men, 

And glory to God on high. 

Recitation. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away 
from them into heaven, the shepherds said, one to another: 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



Song. " We '11 go, even now, into Bethlehem, 

And see where the child is laid." 
Away when the angels had gone from them 

The wondering shepherds said. 
They, when they had seen it, made known abroad 

The tidings of joy; and then 
The shepherds, rejoicing and praising God, 

Returned to their flocks again. 

Recitation. Now^when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, 
there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem. 

Song. The wise men came seeking, from lands afar, 

The King of the Jews, they said; 
And lo ! in the heavens a shining star 

Its light o 'er the manger shed. 
There Mary they found, and behold with ber 

The wonderful first - born son ! 
And treasures of incense, gold, and myrrh, 

They gave to the kingly one! 

Recitation. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising 
God. And the wise men departed into their own country. 

Song. No longer the star in the Eastern sky 

Leads down as it led of old ! — 
The shepherds keep watch in the fields on high, 

O 'er lambs of the upper fold ! 
The glory that shone over them by night, 

Now shines over us by day ; ' 
We seek not the Lord by starry light, 
We 've found Him, the Light! the Way! 
In Concert. 

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest! 
And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David, 
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; 
And of his kingdom there shall be no end ! 



40 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



Words- by M. B. C. Slade. Music by Geo. F. Root. 

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42 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT, 



CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME 



BY MINNIE B. SLADE. 



CHARACTERS : 

Fatheb. Santa Clacs. 

Mother. Children — Nannie and Ned. 

Salesman. Servant. 

costumes : 

Children — Night-dresses. Santa Claus—Co-dt trimmed with fur, 
fur hat, large bag, filled with toys, on his back. For the others — 
Ordinary dress. 

Scene. I. A toy and confectionery store, with shopman behind 
counter; various toys on the counter and floor. Enter, father and 
mother, who look around at toys. They seem to ask to see others. 
Shopman shows a large doll. They ask price; shake their heads, 
seeming to say, "too high"; question it. Shopman shows a 
smaller one; suits better. They buy it, and other toys. Father 
counts out the money ; waits for change. As he turns, sees rock- 
ing-horse and drum; touches the latter; mother raises her hands, 
shakes her head, puts hands to ears; father insists, and buys it. 
Then buys oranges, candy, etc. ; pays again, and they pass out, 
salesman bowing and promising to send things. 

Scene II. A sitting-room. Bell rings. In a moment servant 
enters, and brings rocking-horse, drum, doll, and large toys, with 
various bundles; leaves them on the table and floor. Santa Claus 
appears at the door; looks in; sees no one; comes and carefully 
takes things and hides them outside, and disappears. Parents en- 
ter; seem amazed. Mother calls servant; asks where the toys are. 
Servant does n't know. Father accuses her of having taken them. 
She denies. Father and mother still perplexed. Curtain falls. 

Scene III. Chamber with fire-place, in which burns a wood 
fire. This can be easily mads by simply painting a fire-place on a, 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 43 



pcvper fire-board. Arrange so that Santa Claus can, without its be- 
ing noticeable, move it aside enough to come in between it and the 
curtain forming the back of the room. As the curtain rises, the 
little children are sitting on the floor before the fire, talking busily ; 
their clothes on chairs near by. They ask, " Where is Santa Claus?" 
apparently calling up the chimney to him. They run to the chairs 
and get each a stocking; hold it up; find it too small. Ned finds a 
hole in his; shakes his head; shows it to Nannie. She starts, and 
seems to tell him that she will get a better one; runs out and re- 
turns with two very large blue yarn stockings. They laugh, but as 
they go to hang them up, seem to question as to how Santa Claus 
can tell them apart. Run to table and write their names, which 
they pin on the tops, "and then hang a stocking on each side of fire- 
place. Get into bed. Then, in a moment, Santa Claus puts his 
head in at the fire-place, making a slight noise, which wakes the 
children, who jump up and look at him; and then, as he goes back, 
look in their stockings; but finding nothing, seeming very disap- 
pointed, go back to bed. Santa Claus returns, and this time comes 
in; goes to the bed, sees children asleep, and then fills stockings, 
commenting, apparently, at each article. He drums a noiseless 
march, and puts the sticks in, and drum under stocking; blows 
the trumpet, and at the sound, starts, and turns to the bed to see if 
he has waked the children; turns back to his toys; seems to rock 
the doll in his arms, and puts her head-first into Ned's stocking; 
finds his mistake, and corrects it; puts cradle under stocking, and 
then piles in and around the stockings bundles, smaller toys, 
oranges, candy, and the like. Starts to go up the chimney, and, 
seeming to have just remembered, goes to door, and carefully 
draw T s in a rocking-horse, which he leaves by the bed-side. Then 
standing by the children, he seems to shout, " Merry Christmas! " to 
them, and turns, and disappears up chimney, and rides off in his 
sleigh. The bells ringing loudly, wake the children, who run to 
the stockings, exclaiming at each article, drumming, blowing 
trumpet, trying on mittens, rocking doll in cradle, eating candy, 
rocking on horse, and having general merriment. They seem to 
shout, "Thank you! " to Santa Claus, up the chimney, and while 
their play continues, curtain falls. 



44 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



CHRISTMAS GIFTS — OR, WHAT WE DO AT OUR HOUSE. 

FOE FOUR LITTLE GIRLS. 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

First Girl. What do you do at your house, wkeu Christmas eve is 
nigh ? 

Second Girl. We stretch a line at the chimney-side, 
And mother sees it is strongly tied; 
Then, hang our stockings, and go to bed. 
And just as soon as our prayer is said, 
We wonder and guess, till asleep we fall, 
What Santa Claus has for one and all. 
Then, long before daylight, we haste to pull 
From the line by the chimney oar stockings full. 

And that's what we do at our house. 
What do you do at your house when Christmas eve is 
nigh? 

Third Girl. We have in the parlor a Christmas tree; 
And each has his own little mystery 
In hanging upon the branches green 
His gifts for the others, by them unseen. 
Then mother goes in, the candles to light, 
And everything is so gay and bright, 
That you ought to be there, our joy to see, 
When we have our gifts from the Christmas tree; 

And that 's what we do at our house. 
What do you do at your house when Christmas eve is 
nigh ? 

Fourth Girl. We hear in the evening a rousing ring; 
We hurry the door to open fling; 
And, sure as you live, with his long white hair, 
And his jolly red face, Santa Claus is there! 
He opens his pack, and, with laugh and shout, 
We take the presents he tosses about. 
Then he 's off; but just after his visit is o 'er, 
Uncle John comes in at the other door! 
And that's what we do at our house. 
What do you do at your house when Christmas eve is 
nigh? 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 45 



First Girl. We, too, kang our stockings; but motker says, 
One tking we must do — all Ckristmas days — 
Just as sure as they come, just as long as we live; 
Some gifts to the poor we must always give. 
So a basket she fills, on Christmas eve, 
And tells us just where our gifts to leave. 
Would you know how the best time at Christmas is 

found? 
Help Santa Claus carry his basket around; 
For tkat 's wkat we do at our kouse. 



WELCOME. 

BY THE VERY SMALLEST BOY. 

Bowing. I 'm going to speak tke welcome : all you men and boys, 
I 'm very glad you 've come ; but you must n't make any 

noise ! 
Tkey told me to make a bow, and not be afraid of the 

men. 
Who' 's afraid/ I 've made it once, now I '11 make it again! 
Bows, and runs off the stage. 

A very little girl runs on. 

He did n't welcome tke ladies ! Wkat a funny fellow ! — 
Pointing to audience. 

Ok, wkat a pretty bonnet, trimmed witk blue and yellow ! 
But you must n't be looking 'round ; look right straight 

at me ! 
Ladies and girls, you are welcome — just as welcome as 

can be ! 
And the men and boys are welcome, just as much, and 

just the same ; 
I hope every one of you, when you go home, will say you 

are glad you came ! 



46 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



A CHRISTMAS DIALOGUE. 

FOR SEVEN LITTLE GIRLS. 
BY M. B. C. SLADE. 

Mary. I Ve been thinking, little sisters, if a heathen child should 

be 
Hither brought from some lone islet in the far-off southern 

sea, 
And should ask why summer garlands deck our house 

this wintry day, 
Why we seem so glad and happy, Annie dear, what 

would you say ? 

Annie. I would tell the lovely story of the Babe of Bethlehem ; 
How they laid Him in the manger, when by night He came 

to them ; 
I would tell how Mary dressed Him, and, with soft and 

fragrant hay, 
I think the manger-bed she made, where baby Jesus lay. 

Fanny. I would tell that gentle shepherds, watching o'er their 

flocks by night, 
Saw, suddenly around them, the shining glory-light, 
And heard the angel's tidings about a Savior's birth, 
And then the heavenly chorus, " Good will and peace on 

earth." 

Berne. I 'd tell the wondrous story about the guiding-star, 
That led the holy wise men from eastern lands afar, 
Until they found sweet Mary, and Jesus-child with her, 
And gave Him precious presents — gold, frankincense and 
myrrh. 

Carrie. Then I would tell how Jesus, this little, blessed child, 

Grew up to perfect manhood, holy, pure, and undefiled -, 
How, living, serving, dying, Himself for us He gave — 
He loved us so he lived and died, our souls from sin to 
save. 

Nettie. Then to the little heathen child I think that I would say, 
" Don't you think that we have shown you why we love 
the Christmas day ? 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 47 



Do n't you see we must be nappy, and our happy gladness 

show, 
Upon the birthday of the One who blessed and loved us 

so ?" 
Susie. And then we all would promise the heathen child that we 
Would send the knowledge of His love to islands of the 

sea. 
Till all the world shall Christmas keep, rejoicing for His 

birth, 
At which the shining angels sang, " Good will and peace 

on earth." 



From "Pure Diamonds." By permission. 
CAST YOUR NETS ON THE OTHER SIDE 

RECITE JOHN, XXI: 3-6. 
BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

Seven fishers went out by night at sea, 
In a ship on the waves of Galilee; 
In vain they toiled till the night was o'er, 
Then Jesus stood on the shining shore; 
Across the sound of the sea he cried : 
" Cast your nets on the other side!" — 
The other side, the other side ! 
Ye shall fill your nets on the other side ! 

Not one of the seven said, " Why, Oh, Lord ?" 
For they loved to obey the Master's word. 
They cast, therefore, and behold they saw 
Their nets more full than their hands could draw ! 
They then rejoiced that the dear Lord cried, 
' ' Cast your nets on the other side ! " — 
The other side, the other side! 
Ye shall fill your nets on the other side! 

Ye fishers who go as fishers of men, 
Casting over your nets all night in vain, 
The long dark hours have ye toiled within 
The tossing waves of a sea of sin! 



48 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT, 



Your Master calls at the morning tide, 
" Cast your nets on the other side ! "— 
The other side, the other side! 
Ye shall fill your nets on the other side ! 

O, brothers! be glad, and strong in the faith; 
Ye are fishers of men, the Master saith; 
And grow not faint, though the toil seem vain, 
But cast your nets to the right again. 
The dear Lord's voice in j^our heart shall guide; 
" Cast your nets on the other side! "— - . 
The other side, the other side! 
Ye shall fill your nets on the other side ! 

[The above may be found, with music by Emilins Laroche, in J. R. Murray's 
Pure Diamonds," published by Brainard's Sons, Cleveland, Ohio.] 



SIX "BETHS." 

A RECITATION FOR SEVEN LITTLE GIRLS. 
BY M. B. C. SLADE. 

First Girl. What Scripture names have you all learned well ? 

Six in Concert. Names begining with Beth, we show.. 

First Girl. What does that mean, can you all now tell? 

Six Girls. The house of, or place of — that we know. 

Second Girl. Bethel is the place where Jacob dreamed 

Of the beautiful ladder; where angels seemed 
To ascend and descend from the skies; — said he, 
" This place is the House of God, for me! " 
Jacob said, " This is none other but the house of God." * * * 

"And he called the name of that place Bethel." — Gen. xxviii: 

17, 19. 

Third Girl. The place of dates, where grew the palm, 
Was Bethany, quiet, peaceful, calm. 
Where often, at eventide, Jesus loved best 
With Lazarus, Martha and Mary to rest. 
"And now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with 

the twelve." — Mark, xi: 11. 



THE HOLIDAY CO N CE R T. 49 



Fourth Girl. Place of mercy, Bethesda, the sweet, tender name 
Of the waters where Jesus once raised up the lame. 
No need for an angel, the waters to move, 
When Jesus drew nigh, full of pity and love. 

" There is at Jerusalem a pool which is called, in the Hebrew 
tongue, Bethesda, having five porches." — John, v: 2. 

Fifth Girl. Bethphage, the place of figs, my place once meant, 
Where Jesus remained, and his two servants sent. 
Saying, ' ' Go to the village, a colt 3^011 shall see 
Whereon never man sat; loose him, bring him to me." 

''And it came to pass when he was come nigh unto Bethphage 
* * * he sent two of his disciples, saying, * * * ye shall 
find a colt whereon never man sat; loose him and bring him to 
me." — Luke, xix: 29, 30. 

Sixth Girl. My place is Bethabara, place of the ford, 

Where John came preparing the way of the Lord ; 
Where he was baptizing, when Pharisees came 
To ask him, ' 'Who art thou, and what is thy name ? " 

" These things were done in Bethabara, beyond Jordan, where 
John was baptizing." — John, i: 28. 

Seventh Girl My Beth is the dearest and best of them, 
For The House of Bread, it is Bethlehem, 
Where Jesus was born, when the angels of light 
Sang to shepherds that watched their flocks by night. 

"And it came to pass as the angels were gone away from them 
into heaven, the shepherds said, one to another, Let us go, even 
now, unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass. " 
— Luke, ii: 18. 

First Girl. Now, can you repeat these names with me, 
And remember the meaning of them? 

Six in Concert. Bethel, Bethany, Bethabara, Bethphage, 
Bethesda, and Bethlehem. 



50 THE HO LI DA Y C O N C E A> T. 



THE OBEDIENCE OF JESUS 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

The dearest picture of our Lord 

Is where the Scripture sailh, 
He subject was to Mary's word. 

In lowly Nazareth. 
The grace of God was on Him when 

He strong in spirit grew ; 
Yet He obeyed His parents, then, 

Was subject them unto. 

They found Him at Jerusalem, 

Among the doctors wise. 
Both questioning and giving them 

Astonishing replies. 
His Father's business He knows, 

His work He has begun ; 
Yet down to Nazareth He goes, 

A faithful, subject Son. 

Oh, young child Jesus, wise and strong, 

And full of God's dear grace, 
From Thee I learn what ways belong 

To childhood's time and place. 
This picture will I keep of Thee, 

The word the Scripture saith, 
And subject to my parents be, 

As Thou, at Nazareth. 



THE CAKE OF JESUS 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

Upon the cruel cross of woe, 

Hung Jesus, crucified! 
His weeping mother, down below, 

Stood close the cross beside. 



THE HOLIDAY CONCEPT. 51 

The waves of anguish o'er Him roll, 

Her Babe, her Son, her Lord ; ..... 

And Mary's silent, suffering soul. 
Is pierced with sorrow's sword. 

And that disciple, he could see. 

The best-beloved one ; 
' Behold thy mother ! " then said he ; 
4 ' Woman, behold thy Son ! " 
And from that hour, to his own home, .... . 

He who on Jesus' breast ; 

Was wont to lean, bade Mary come, 

And in its shelter rest, 

O, love divine, that, stooping down 

From crucifixion's woe, 
Could kindly care for these, His own. 

Because He loved them so. 
May we, in sorrow, pain, or loss, 

For others' good provide, 
As for Thy mother, at the cross, 

Didst Thou, the crucified. 



GLIMPSES OF JESUS. 

BY M. B. C. SLADE. 
I- 

First Voice. Who is this upon Nazareth's hills, 

Gathering lilies that grow by the rills ? 

All, Jesus of Nazareth ; from Jerusalem 

He came with his parents — was subject unto them. 

II. 

Second Voice.. Who is this in the Bethany home. 

Where He so tenderly loved to come ? 

All. Jesus of Nazareth. Low at His feet 

Mary is learning her lessons sweet. 



52 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



III. 

Third Voice. Who is this, where the waters cool, 

Gleam as they flow from Siloam's pool ? 

All. Jesus of Nazareth, tender, kind, 

Stands by Siloam and heals the blind. 

IV. 

Fourth Voice. Who is this, in the eventide, 

Walking up slowly o'er Olive's side ? 

All. Jesus of Nazareth goes that way : 

Thither he comes by night to pray. 



Fifth Voice. Who is this, by the blue sea's shore, 

Watching the waves when the night is o'er 

AH. Jesus of Nazareth ; it is He, 

Waiting His fisher friends to see. 

VI. 

Sixth Voice. Who has come, at the ruler's cries. 

Bidding his little daughter rise ? 

AU. Jesus of Nazareth ; and he said, 

" Maiden, arise ! " " She is not dead ! " 

VII. 

Seventh Voice. Who is this, when the mothers press 

Near Him, that He their babes may bless ? 

AU. Jesus of Nazareth ; kindly He 

Says, "Let the little ones come to me." 



VIII. 

Eighth Voice. Sweetly our glimpses of Jesus fall ; 

This is the dearest one of all. 

AU. Jesus of Nazareth, let me be 

One of the children blessed by Thee. 



THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 53 



WHAT DECEMBER SAYS. 

A CHRISTMAS RECITATION. 
BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

Open your hearts, ere I arn flown, 

And hear my old, old story ; 
For I am the month that first looked down 

On the beautiful Babe of glory. 
You never must call me lone and drear, 

Because no birds are singing; 
Open your hearts and you shall hear 

The song of the angels ringing. 

Open your hearts and hear the feet 

Of the star led wise men olden; 
Bring out your treasures of incense sweet; 

Lay down your offerings golden. 
You say you look, but you see no sight 

Of the wonderful Babe I'm telling; 
You say they have carried Him off by night, 

From Bethlehem's lowly dwelling. 

Open your hearts, and seek the door, 

Where the alway-poor are staying. 
For this is the story, forevermore, 

The Master's voice is saying: 
Inasmuch as ye do it unto them, 

The poor, the weak, and the stranger. 
Ye do it to Jesus of Bethlehem, 

The Babe of the star-lit manger. 



A LITTLE SERMON, FOR A LITTLE BOY. 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

I 'm but a little fellow, to stand up here and preach. 

My sermon is to teachers, who little children teach; 

Habbakuk ii: 2, my subject will contain. 

Make it flaest : " that is my text ; Make it plain; make it ■plain, 



54 T H /■! HO LI DA Y C A ' C K R T. 



Firstly: Small boys and girls do n't know very much ; 

When you teach the Scripture, make it plain to such. 

Secondly: I will illustrate, just as the preachers do, 

By telling you an anecdote — my hearers, it is true: 

A very little girl, in Sunday school had learned 

The story that Lot's wife to a pillar of salt was turned. 

Now what a pillar was, this child she did not know ; 

And in her little mind she thought 't was a pillow ! 

So she gravely asked, one day (and it was not her fault), 

If Lot's wife, in the resurrection, would rise a bag of salt ! 

Thirdly : If that child's teacher had shown what pillars were, 

Do n't you see it had been easy to make it plain to her? 

Fourthly, and last, in closing, I'll give my text again: 

Habbakuk ii: 2. Make it plain; make it plain. 



A LITTLE THING. 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

Once, in Judea's holy earth, 
A sapling sprang : its humble birth 
Was meek and low : 
It grew not on 
Proud Lebanon, 
But where sweet Kedron's pleasant waters flow. 

Spring's mild, soft showers, and summer's heat, 
Nursed the young plant ; and at its feet 
An offering 

Bright Kedron threw ; 
And so it grew 
A stately tree — that very little thing. 

Oh, sad the change, and hard to tell, 
That o'er the tree of beauty fell ; 
Struck to the ground, 
Its branches wide 
Kissed Kedron's side, 
.And chill winds swept its withered leaves around. 



THE HO LI DA Y C O iV C E A J T. 



So, low it lay, the passers by 
Gazed on it with a pitying eye, 
And mourned its loss. 
Oh, should those eyes 
Behold it rise, 
That fallen tree, a suffering Savior's cross ! 

A little thing they called it, when 
It budded first ; oh, shall we, then. 
Mere trifles call 

Life's little things, 
When time thus brings 
The Greatest ends from such beginnings small 



THE PARABLE OF THE TREES. 

SCRIPTURE RECITATION. 

The trees went forth, on a time, to anoint a King over them ; 
and they said unto the olive tree, " Reign thou over us." 

But the olive tree said unto them, " Should I leave my fatness, 
wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted 
over the trees ? " 

And the trees said to the tig tree, k ' Come thou, and reign over 
us." 

But the fig tree said unto them, " Should I forsake my sweetness 
and good fruits, and go to be promoted over the trees ? " 

Then said the trees unto the vine, " Come thou and reign over 
us." 

And the vine said unto them, " Should I leave my wine, which 
cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees ? " 

Then said all the trees unto the bramble, " Come thou and reign 
over us." 

And the bramble said unto the trees, ' ' If in truth ye anoint me 
King over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow r ; and 
if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of 
Lebanon." 



56 THE HOLIDAY CONCERT. 



AT THE CHRISTMAS TREE 

RECITATION FOR BOY OR GIRL 

BY MARY B. C. SLADE. 

Some love the oak tree, tall and strong ; 

The willow, bending down ; 
The elm, with graceful branches long ; 

The pine, with sweet, sad song ; 
The cherry tree, whose petals white 

Fall soft as summer's snow ; 
The apple tree, with blossoms bright, 

And fruit of golden glow r . 
But this strange tree, our favorite, 

Through one glad hour shall be ; 
For love's dear blossoms cover it — 

It is our Christmas tree. 
Around the tree we stand to-night, 

And joyfully declare, 
Some lovely fruit, or blossoms bright, 

For each, its branches bear. 
His sun and rain our Father lends 

To deck the forest trees; 
His love in human hearts he sends 

To make such bloom as these. 
So, while we bless these hands of love 

That Christmas gifts bestow, 
We '11 thank the tender Heart above, 

Whence all our blessings flow. 



ITE 



^alitlaii fannqtrt, 



A COLLECT!' >\ 



lialigMI, |gdUtirai asA f unit | 



FOR THE USE OF 



Vmdau-school ^nmcersaries and jhoLtclan fdjibtttous, 



Mrs. JVT. B. C. SLADE. 



CHICAGO: 

Published by John E. Miller & Co. 

1873- 



%» W E 



LlTTIE COEPORAL. 



Hu gilttstpated Maia^iae 



FOE BOYS AND GIELS. 



Thp: Little Corporal is now in its eighth year of pub- 
lication, and has from its beginning been distinguished for 
the purity and originality of its literary contents, and the 
beauty and excellence of its pictorial illustrations. The 
serial stories for next year will be a continuation of " Uncle 
Dick's Legacy," by Emily Huntington Miller ; " Hidden 
Treasfkes," by Mary A. Dennison, and a new story by 
Helen C. Weeks; besides a variety of shorter Stories, Poetry, 
articles on Scientific Topics, Natural History, letters of 
Travel, Home Amusements, etc. All new subscribers for 
next year will receive the remaining numbers of this year 
free. Two beautiful Chromos — 



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Terms, $ 1 .50 a year, including the chromos, un- 
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of five or more 15 cents extra. Specimen numbers with 
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JOHN E. M1LLEB, Pub., 

CHICAGO, ILL. 






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